First Day of School!

How did the summer go this fast?  Oh my it zoomed past us.  I can honestly say that we had a blast together though.  We were together almost every day and I loved every second of it.  I'm not one of those moms that counts down the days for school to start.  Sometimes I think that would be great if I was but when it comes down to it I'm not and I won't ever be and that is ok.  Last night Craig was stressed about work and things on his plate and the girls were thinking about their big days.  I was trying to make sure they were excited and had everything ready.  It wasn't until about 9:00 when the kids were tucked in bed and Craig was working that I almost had a little break down.  I was trying to rationalize my thoughts, is it that I don't like structure? No I love structure.  Is it that the rat race is about to start up again? Yes, once school starts it doesn't slow down again until summer.  Even though that's the case I do kind of like this rat race b/c it's stuff my kids love.  Hmmm is it b/c I won't see my babies all day?  Well kind of b/c I can't think of anything more beautiful and rewarding then looking at their precious faces, but now I can clean, grocery shop and do the yuck stuff while their gone and be ready to love on them when they get home.  By this point my mind is racing and I'm coming up with all kinds of ideas.  Then finally I stopped on "Man I wish I could talk to my mama and see what she thinks."  I have these moments a lot.  Sometimes they come out of NOWHERE, hit me like a ton of bricks.  I have these thoughts sometimes and sometimes I think hmmm, I'll just call her and ask her.  Then I come back to reality that oh yeah, can't call her.  Then I realize that the reason I'm sad isn't because school has started it's that my babies are growing up.  Which results in more time that my mom has been gone.  It will be 12 years this year.  How is that? Why is that?  How is my mama, my best friend not here to see these beautiful precious babies?  I joke with the girls that I do a lot of the stuff I do for them so they will always have memories of me.  Sadly there is much truth to it.  I don't want there to be a second that they ever doubt how much I love them with all my heart.  They are so precious to me and I love watching them grow into the beautiful ladies they are.  I wish I could freeze time but since I can't we are making memories and I am keeping track of them on this blog so we won't forget any of them!

The girls and I make a "back to school"cake every year.  Normally we do a pencil cake but this year we did a strawberry cake shaped like an apple.  We are crazy like that!

We painted fingers and toes to coordinate with first day outfits!  This is Mac and her choices.

Miss Mille bug, this child still bites and picks at her toes and fingers.  I honestly have never cut her nails!  It took me about 15 minutes to do Mac's hands and toes and about 5 min to do Mille's.  She is a hoot!  

Little table decor, hey why not.  I don't know why stuff like this makes me happy but anytime I can decorate a table I get happy.  The girls actually helped me this year.

Mille's place, a 4 for 4th grade!!  She also chose the little ceramic bunny to hold her syrup for her waffle.

Mac with her 6 for 6th grade.  I told her next year I would have to do a 4 and a 3 b/c I don't have a 7 or she could just stay in 6th grade!  She chose the ceramic duck for her syrup.

The calendar for the year.

Mac's likes for the year

Mille's likes for the year.  Hers actually didn't change much from last year.

Back to school gifts for the teachers

Fun stuff for inside.  I always include a little thing of deodorant.  There is a funny story to that.  The first year I taught my mom made me a little "survival kit" in it was deodorant.  I asked her why she did that and she told me, hey you never know.  You might need to add more or you might forget b/c you are rushing out the door.  I took the kit and thought ok probably never going to use that.  Well of course mama knows best b/c not only did I use it I had to replace it!  That first year teaching(and even after) I would run late and forget or need more b/c those sweet kinder kids would make me sweat!  So now I always include it in survival kits!  Thanks mama!!  I also put a little contact lens holder with $1 worth of change.  Teachers need a little vending machine pick me up every now and then! :o)

This was out our window while eating dinner.  I told the girls it was God's way of wishing and promising them a good year!

Everybody made a wish for the new school year with the back to school cake.

Mille is thinking hard!

Mac holding up 6 fingers.  She said "Finally i get to use both hands!" My reaction was "Finally???" followed by a frown. 

Mille bug with 4!!

This is the cute note Mille wrote on her dry erase board.  Think she's slightly excited??

Lunches are packed.  They requested "mom's famous sandwiches" that's aka for ciabatta bread, turkey, salami, cheese, mustard and mayo toasted. :o)

Eating breakfast.  

Mac with her back to school goodies

Mille too

Waffles, strawberries and bacon

This is fresh squeezed oj from the new HEB.  Oh my gosh this stuff was good!  Good enough that I will probably drive out there just to buy more.

Backpacks on

Striking a pose

Precious babies

How is this right? 6?????

My baby shouldn't be in 4th she should be in Kinder

Again what little models

Silly

Here we go, ready or not

Mac rides in the front seat now and has for a while but this is the first time to ride in the front on the first day of school.

Last time to get this pic, cue tears!!!

Mille and MC

Waiting to go in class

Jack and Mille.  They went to mother's day out together and were in 1st grade together.  Glad they'll be ending South Bosque together.

Mille and Mrs Cates who by the way sent me an email thanking me for the deodorant and breath mints b/c "how did I know she needed them today?"  Already know I love this woman!!!  

The girls are home now and said on a scale of 1-10 they both had a 10 of a day.  All I can say is thank you Lord and this mama is happy, happy, happy!